20 Egypt opposition members detained

At least 20 members of Egypt's opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, have been arrested as tensions rise ahead of the Muslim Friday Prayers.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - The group's lawyer Abdelmoneim Abdel Maqsoud said that the members, including five former parliament representatives, were detained overnight Friday.

Although Egyptian authorities have banned protests, the Muslim Brotherhood on Thursday called on people to gather en masse and continue the demonstrations in their fourth day after the Friday prayers.

The Muslim Brotherhood spokesman, Essam al-Arian, warned that Egypt will “explode” if the government continues its policy of repression and does not listen to the people.

US President Barack Obama called on Mubarak on Thursday to make "absolutely critical" reforms, boosting pressure on the key US ally. However, an Israeli minister said the Egyptian government will have to exercise force to rein in public protests.